When the battle resumed on the fifth day, the slaughter continued. The Pandava army again suffered against Bhishma's attacks. Satyaki bore the brunt of Drona's attacks and soon could not withstand them. Bheem drove by and rescued Satyaki. Arjun fought and killed thousands of soldiers sent by Duryodhan to attack him. The unimaginable carnage continued during the ensuing days of the battle.
The sixth day was marked by a prodigious slaughter. Drona caused immeasurable loss of life on the Pandava side. The formations of both the armies were broken. On day 7 Drona slays Shankya, son of Virata. On the eighth day Bheem killed eight of Dhritarashtra's sons. Iravan, the son of Arjuna and Ulupi kills 5 brothers of Shakuni/princes of Gandhara. Duryodhan sends Alamvush to kill Iravan and the latter is killed by the rakshasa after a brave fight.
On the ninth day Krishna, overwhelmed by anger at the apparent inability of Arjun to defeat Bhishma, rushed towards the Kaurava commander, the wheel of a fallen chariot in his hands. Bhishma lays down his arms and is ready to die at the hands of the Lord, but Arjun stops him, reminding of his promise not to wield a weapon. Realizing that the war could not be won as long as Bhishma was standing, Krishna suggested the strategy of placing a eunuch in the field to face him. Some sources however state that it was Yudishthir who visits Bhishma's camp at night asking him for help. To this Bhishma says that he would not fight a eunuch.
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Gandivdhari Arjun-The Warrior Prince
Historical FictionArjun was one of the five Pandava brothers of the Mahabharat epic. He was born to Kunti and King Pandu with the energy of Indra, the leader of the gods. At a very young age he got acclaim for the sincerity and skill in archery. He was known for his...
